As for a winger, how about kevin naiqama, linked with him in the past and could be surplus to Wests should they sign Fonua and Thompson, has his faults but like Fonua think his style would suit SL.
Linked with him last year and his brother is over here.
Also Rumour on the Rovers board that Ken Sio is interested in coming back to SL, would be a great signing.
Sio would most definitely be a good signing. Westerman, well on last years form he was the stand out 13, however I think we should be thinking about using Hadley in a ball handling forward roll, he can certainly cover the dummy half position if need be and whilst that might relegate Washbrook to squad member I'd rather see us go forward with Hadley. If it's to replace Ellis then that's pants because Ellis was primarily used as another prop, I don't want another prop type 13 at the club, it doesn't benefit us IMHO. As I said previously I can't honestly see JA coming back next year at least but who knows.
I'd let Talanoa go in any case, i think we can do better.
Sio would most definitely be a good signing. Westerman, well on last years form he was the stand out 13, however I think we should be thinking about using Hadley in a ball handling forward roll, he can certainly cover the dummy half position if need be and whilst that might relegate Washbrook to squad member I'd rather see us go forward with Hadley. If it's to replace Ellis then that's pants because Ellis was primarily used as another prop, I don't want another prop type 13 at the club, it doesn't benefit us IMHO. As I said previously I can't honestly see JA coming back next year at least but who knows.
I'd let Talanoa go in any case, i think we can do better.
When Abdull first went on loan I would maybe have agreed, but he has played well by all accounts and we have since extended his contract, which I dont think we have done just for the sake of getting a better transfer fee. I think he is in our plans, just not sure where.
Sio would most definitely be a good signing. Westerman, well on last years form he was the stand out 13, however I think we should be thinking about using Hadley in a ball handling forward roll, he can certainly cover the dummy half position if need be and whilst that might relegate Washbrook to squad member I'd rather see us go forward with Hadley. If it's to replace Ellis then that's pants because Ellis was primarily used as another prop, I don't want another prop type 13 at the club, it doesn't benefit us IMHO. As I said previously I can't honestly see JA coming back next year at least but who knows.
I'd let Talanoa go in any case, i think we can do better.
What? We played with a ball type loose and were crap. Weve gone to a third prop type and won a trophy and had the most successful year in our SL history. It's a style that obviously suits us. That said I think Hadley could do that role by being a little of both. But my preference going forward would be hadley as starting 2nd. Mini off the bench. I'd start with Taylor Bowden as props. Watts at loose as 3rd prop as he could pace himself a bit more than at outright prop thus having more mins on field which is better for us as he's a more Xfactor player than our other props. Plus has nice hands to make a pass when needed. Impact player brought in to come off the bench with mini. 2 players capable of changing a game through impact and energy a bit like cas with moors and lefeo
What? We played with a ball type loose and were crap. Weve gone to a third prop type and won a trophy and had the most successful year in our SL history. It's a style that obviously suits us. That said I think Hadley could do that role by being a little of both. But my preference going forward would be hadley as starting 2nd. Mini off the bench. I'd start with Taylor Bowden as props. Watts at loose as 3rd prop as he could pace himself a bit more than at outright prop thus having more mins on field which is better for us as he's a more Xfactor player than our other props. Plus has nice hands to make a pass when needed. Impact player brought in to come off the bench with mini. 2 players capable of changing a game through impact and energy a bit like cas with moors and lefeo
Completely agree.
I've just made a similar comment on the Westerman thread re Abdull vs Westy, ball playing 13 vs workhorse (before I'd read this thread). I think a lot of us get quite nostalgic at the thought of a ball-playing 13 as we've been spoiled in the past with the likes of Knocker & Smith.
Hadley is tailor-made as a starting 2nd rower, and being spelled by mini off the bench for his impact sounds ideal to me.
Think the days of a Knocker Norton or Harry Pinner type of loose forward are long gone. Think we'll look at developing Shaul into the third pivot, backed up by Connor. Would like to see Hadley back but there seems to be something going on there. Also can't see Abdul back. Like I said on another thread - juries still out for me. What we deffo need though is an impact forward.
Think the days of a Knocker Norton or Harry Pinner type of loose forward are long gone. Think we'll look at developing Shaul into the third pivot, backed up by Connor. Would like to see Hadley back but there seems to be something going on there. Also can't see Abdul back. Like I said on another thread - juries still out for me. What we deffo need though is an impact forward.
Dont think we'll ever ever make a pivot out of Shaul. But while we've found a formula of dominant forwards for Sneyd and kelly to work off we're doing ok. As I think they're two of the best halves at working off that kind of platform. Also in connor and Carlos we've almost 2 halves playing centres. Which i would keep and move Griffin to wing and retain Tala to keep that dominant start to sets. Sika is a tidy ball man for a 2nd and Hadley is known for his good hands. So we've plentry of outlets tbf